Support structure of items in general

ABSTRACT

A support structure ( 1 ) of items in general comprises a plurality of uprights ( 2 ) supporting a plurality of shelves ( 3 ). The structure exhibits connection members ( 4, 5, 8 ) arranged between each upright ( 2 ) and the shelves ( 3 ), and holding members ( 12, 13 ) associated to the shelves ( 3 ), which allow connecting at least two structures ( 1 ) with one another.

[0001] The present finding relates to a support structure of items ingeneral. In particular, reference is made to plastic support structuresof the shelf type. Traditional metal support structures comprise severaluprights supporting a variable number of shelves. Shelves often do nothave predetermined positions, but they can also be fixed at desiredintervals on the uprights, so as to determine support spaces having thedesired dimensions.

[0002] However, the connections realised in traditional metal supportstructures require screws or bolts. Thus, the implementation of theconnections exhibits a certain difficulty and requires the operator toexert a certain strength.

[0003] Moreover, metal support structures are subject to corrosion, theyare heavy and consequently, difficult to be transported.

[0004] On the other hand, plastic support structures do not exhibit thepossibility of arranging the shelves at any height, but only in theproximity of the end portion of the uprights, thus making the structurenot very flexible.

[0005] It must also be said that, in the case of plastic supportstructures, the sided connection of the same is always not very stiff,due to the material with which they are made.

[0006] The technical object of the present finding is that of realisinga support structure for items in general which should allow eliminatingthe above disadvantages.

[0007] Within the scope of such object, a purpose of the finding is thatof realising a support structure which could be assembled in a verysimple manner without requiring considerable efforts by the operator.

[0008] Another purpose of the finding is that of realising a structurewhich could be connected to other similar structures in a very simplemanner but capable of strongly opposing any force weighing on thestructure. Last but not least, another purpose of the finding is that ofrealising a support structure of items in general which should beextremely flexible, thus allowing the arrangement of the shelves at anyheight, and allowing the connection between each shelf in case of two ormore sided structures.

[0009] These and other purposes, according to the present finding, areachieved by realising a support structure of items in general accordingto claim 1.

[0010] Advantageously, the structure according to the present finding isvery stout.

[0011] Such feature is maintained also when more structures according tothe finding are connected to one another. In fact, the connectionbetween the structures is not realised through points, but itsubstantially extends for the entire depth of the shelves.

[0012] Features and advantages of a support structure of items ingeneral according to the present finding will appear more clearly fromthe following exemplificative and non-limiting description, made withreference to the attached schematic drawings. In such drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of two structuresaccording to the finding, which are reciprocally associated;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a plan bottom view of a shelf of the structureaccording to the finding;

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a plan bottom view of two reciprocally associatedportions of shelf;

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section realised according to lineIII-III of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a coupling for connecting theshelf to the uprights;

[0018]FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the coupling of FIG. 5; and

[0019]FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view of an upright connected to ashelf.

[0020] With reference to the above figures, each support structure ofitems in general according to the finding is globally indicated withreference numeral 1. Each structure 1 comprises four uprights 2supporting a plurality of shelves 3.

[0021] Each upright 2 consists of a plurality of tubular members jointlycoupled to one another and exhibiting a plurality of grooves or housings4 at their ends.

[0022] In the example shown, housings 4 are arranged in groups of threeand they are obtained on opposed portions of the uprights for the entirelength of the same.

[0023] Couplings 5 can be locked on uprights 2 and, in turn, they lockand support shelves 3.

[0024] Couplings 5, which are arranged between shelves 3 and uprights 2,function as connection means between the same uprights 2 and shelves 3.

[0025] Couplings 5 are made of an elastically yielding material, andthey exhibit a substantially longitudinal aperture 6 on their entirelength. Moreover, an edge 7—which covers the entire edge of coupling5—protrudes from a first end of couplings 5 outwards, but it ends at theaperture.

[0026] The outside wall of coupling 5 is slightly conical, and itconverges towards a second end of coupling 5, opposed to the first one.

[0027] In practice, when coupling 5 is mounted on one of uprights 2,edge 7 is arranged downwards whereas the outside wall converges upwards.Coupling 5 also exhibits projections or stakes 8 extending inwards.

[0028] Such projections 8 are adapted to be inserted into housings 4and, in the example shown, they are six grouped in two groups arrangedat opposed portions of coupling 5.

[0029] Shelves 3 exhibit four tubular through housings 9, arranged attheir four corners. Such housings 9 exhibit an edge 10 protruding fromtheir first end, adapted to abut against the second end of couplings 5.

[0030] In practice, as shown in FIG. 7, edges 10 of housings 9 abutagainst the second end of couplings 5, a second end of housings 9 abutsagainst edges 7 of couplings 5, and the conical wall of coupling 5presses against the inside wall of housing 9.

[0031] Shelves 3 exhibit a plurality of stiffening ribs 11 developing atone of their faces adapted to face downwards when structure 1 isassembled.

[0032] Such ribs 11 are very thick at the two side opposed ends of eachshelf 3, and they are jointed to housings 9.

[0033] Moreover, the transversal ribs 11 exhibit a lower height withrespect to the longitudinal ones.

[0034] Holding means is associated to the side opposed ends of shelves3, which allows connecting at least two structures 1 with one another.

[0035] Such holding means comprises a dovetail projection 12 associatedto one end, and a conjugated recess 13 of such projection 12, associatedto the other end.

[0036] The dovetail projections exhibit slightly inclined walls, so asto make the connection very firm.

[0037] Moreover, ribs 11 also extend into the dovetail projection 12whereas, at the other side, ribs 11 are jointed to undercuts 14 ofrecesses 13.

[0038] Structure 1 is provided with feet, which insert at the lower endsof uprights 2, and with plugs, which insert, on the contrary, at theirupper ends.

[0039] All the elements forming the structure are made of a plasticmaterial. In particular, uprights 2, shelves 3 and couplings 5 are madeof plastic.

[0040] The support structure of items in general according to thefinding is substantially assembled as indicated below.

[0041] The elastically yielding couplings 5 are first inserted onuprights 2, inserting projections 8 into housing 4. Of course, couplings5 adapted to support a same shelf 3 must be arranged at the same heighton each upright 2.

[0042] Uprights 3 are thus inserted into housings 9, and the coupling islocked by bringing shelf 3 at couplings 5. The disassembly of thesupport structure 1 according to the finding is equally simple andquick.

[0043] In fact, it is sufficient to push shelves 3 from bottom upwardsso that housings 9 free from couplings 5.

[0044] At this point, shelves 3 can be removed. In practice, thematerials used as well as the sizes, can be of any type according to thetechnical requirements.

[0045] In practice, it has been noted that the support structureaccording to the finding is particularly advantageous for allowing aconsiderable resistance to the load force it is subject to, even thoughit is entirely made of a plastic material.

[0046] In fact, thanks to the connection of a shelf to the adjacent one,and to the length of the connection surfaces, it is capable of stronglyopposing even considerable forces due to vertical loads also at thebending and torsional moments.

1. Support structure (1) of items in general, comprising a plurality ofuprights (2) supporting a plurality of shelves (3), characterised inthat it comprises connection means (4, 5, 8) arranged between each ofsaid uprights (2) and said shelves (3), and holding means (12, 13)associated to said shelves (3), which allows connecting at least twostructures (1) to one another.
 2. Structure (1) according to claim 1,characterised in that said holding means (12, 13) comprises a dovetailprojection (12) extending from a side end of said shelf (3) and aconjugated recess (13) of said dovetail projection (12).
 3. Structure(1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised inthat said dovetail projections (12) exhibit at least one slightlyinclined side wall.
 4. Structure (1) according to one or more of theprevious claims, characterised in that said shelves (3) exhibitstiffening ribs (11) which become thicker at their side ends and inparticular, of said dovetail projection (12) and said recess (13)conjugated to it.
 5. Structure (1) according to one or more of theprevious claims, characterised in that said ribs (11) also extend intosaid dovetail projections (12).
 6. Structure (1) according to one ormore of the previous claims, characterised in that said ribs (11) arejointed to undercuts (14) of said recesses (13).
 7. Structure (1)according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in thatsaid connection means (4, 5, 8) comprises at least one elasticallyyielding coupling (5) provided with at least one aperture (6) on itsentire length, where said coupling (5) is inserted on said upright (2)and exhibits projections (8) extending inwards, inserted into grooves orhousings (4) of said uprights (2).
 8. Structure (1) according to one ormore of the previous claims, characterised in that said shelves (3)exhibit through housings (9) wherein said couplings (5) are inserted andlocked.
 9. Structure (1) according to one or more of the previousclaims, characterised in that said grooves or housings (4) are arrangedinto groups, and are obtained on opposed portions of said uprights (2)for the entire length of the same; similarly, also said projections (8)are arranged into groups and are obtained on opposed portions of saidcouplings (5).
 10. Structure (1) according to one or more of theprevious claims, characterised in that said coupling (5) comprises anedge (7) protruding outwards, where said edge (7) protrudes from an endof said coupling (5) facing downwards, and an end of said housing (9)abuts on it.
 11. Structure (1) according to one or more of the previousclaims, characterised in that said housings (9) of said shelves (3)exhibit a protruding edge (10) at their upper wall, arranged in abutmenton an end of said coupling (5) facing upwards.
 12. Structure (1)according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in thatsaid coupling (5) exhibits slightly conical walls converging upwards.13. Structure (1) according to one or more of the previous claims,characterised in that all the elements forming it are made of a plasticmaterial
 14. Support structure (1) of items in general, as described andclaimed. The above as substantially described, illustrated, and for thespecified purposes.